Calling for more visas and the opening of humanitarian corridors, Spanish Bishops plead on plight of refugees: “We cannot remain oblivious to their pain”
In just-released memoir ‘A Catechism of the Heart: A Jesuit Missioned to the Laity’, Benjamin Brenkert laments order’s betrayal of his dream to be the first openly gay priest in good standing
Religious leaders recommit to “reconciled, united, democratic and hospitable Europe” in online meeting with European Commission vice-president
Mother Mechthild Thürmer says of run-in with law over granting sanctuary in her Bavarian abbey: “I have no choice, I have to help, I have to help, as much as I can”
Clericalism, the concern to protect the institution at all costs and a “men’s alliance” mentality still exacerbating clergy sex abuse crisis, laments Bishop Georg Bätzing
“We are here together to build the world of tomorrow where nobody will be left behind”, participants declare at outset of ‘Economy of Francesco’ event
Bishop of Tenerife deplores 225 new arrivals “were just left there, left to their own devices” after being evicted by police November 17 from emergency camp
Victims’ only crime was that “of dreaming”, denounces superior general Sister Neusa de Fatima Mariano as Vatican paper ‘L’Osservatore Romano’ deplores “endless” migrant “massacre”
Francis encourages refugee advocates “to reach out the hand of friendship to those who are alone, accompanying them and strengthening their voice”
Bishop of Dresden-Meissen Heinrich Timmerevers wonders about “intention” behind Secretariat of State explicatory note, still intends to push ahead with blessings for gay couples
“Though he is not changing moral teaching, he is departing from traditional Catholic rhetoric and offering an inclusive, merciful vision to guide Church practice”
“We cannot allow economics to be separated from human realities, nor development from civilisation”, Holy See insists in Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe
“No matter how you look at it, this dismissal does not sound like the Gospel, but quite the opposite: exclusion, intolerance and discrimination”, they decry
Association of Catholic Priests says English Standard Version Bible uses gender-exclusive language such as “man”, “mankind” and “brothers”
Advocacy group continues to urge innovative solutions for the welfare of the world’s exiles: “Each person has a name, a face, and a story”
“Francis does not merely state that Black Lives Matter, but he shows it by this long-overdue naming of a Black American to the College of Cardinals”
“Europe, find yourself! Rediscover your most deeply-rooted ideals. Be yourself!”, Francis writes in letter to “weary and listless” continent “possessed of little hope”
Supporters of Pope’s comments “clericalist”, traditional marriage “common sense”, says Bishops’ spokesman and auxiliary of Valladolid Luis Argüello
On heterosexual and same-gender unions, in the Church “we have to be able to say that both are right and there’s space for both”, says Archbishop Diarmuid Martin
“Were the Pope to put his same-gender civil unions support in an official document, he could remove all doubt as to where he – and the Church – stand”
Pope’s call for equal rights in society for men and women sounds “hollow and brittle” in the absence of gender equality in the Church, denounce nun, academic, youth leader and theologian in training
“It is a violation of human rights to force people to be in a concentration camp”, denounces Marie Doutrepont, who has witnessed first-hand the “shame of Europe” on Lesbos
Archbishop emeritus of Tanger Santiago Agrelo suggests Church pray: “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, anointed and sent to evangelise the poor, the communion of saints…”
Denounces present “outdated”, “ill-implemented” and “chaotic” situation leading to tragedies such as the fires in the Moria camp on Lesbos
Prelates call for greater investment in mental health, particularly during COVID-19, “so that no one is left behind”
On September 23rd, the European Commission presented the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, composed of 12 documents, including several legislative proposals, which will now be negotiated by the European Parliament and EU Member States.
Migrants and refugees often arrive in the UK traumatised by the lives they’ve left behind and by the dangerous journeys they’ve had to endure to reach some semblance of safety.
Young theologians are denouncing discrimination in the Church, asking “how could a loving God want that?”.